A Thought on Pride

I am a gay woman, this is Pride month, and I just watch several hours of a debate on the Texas legislative floor over a woman’s right to speak. To quote a popular Facebook meme: I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

As much as I would love to talk about that history-making, heart-wrenching filibuster, instead I’m going to talk about this thing called gay pride: where it came from, what it means, and why you should speak up.

Gay pride did not manifest out of an aspiration to show off. We don’t shower you with glitter and rainbows because they’re pretty (although they definitely are). Gay pride stemmed from the Stonewall Riots. Don’t know what that was? Google it. Educate yourself. We’ll be here when you get back. Pride is a demonstration of a minority that we are here; we are human; we deserve to be treated as such. Before you wax poetic on how there ought to be a Straight Pride, realize that you ought to be grateful that you don’t need one.

Last month, I watched hours of debate on the Minnesota Senate floor. It wasn’t about something practical like the state budget or healthcare – it was regarding my right as a lesbian to marry my girlfriend. My life. My future in the hands of a group of people who have never met me. Thankfully, the vote came out in our favor. As of August 1st, I am allowed to marry my girlfriend, my partner, Crystal Saete… but only in this state, and the handful of others with marriage equality legislation. When we visit my family in red Florida, however, my marriage will not be recognized there.

This is 2013. We should not be having these discussions. This should not exist.

During this Pride season, speak up, even if you’ve never done so before.

Wendy Davis stood 12 hours without relief – no bathroom, no food, no water, no leaning. The people at Stonewall risked their lives and freedom to begin the gay rights movement STILL in action.